Meadowlands Opening Angles

[Boxhoward]

Hi

With the Meadowlands opening in a couple of weeks, anyone have any good handicapping angles for the first few weeks as the horses ship in and get re-acclimated to the track. I always find there are price plays to be had as the favorites tend to get over bet. Hopefully, the Big M will not suffer again from a shortage of horses, although with the casinos feeding the tracks in NY and PA, not sure where all the horses will come from.

Any thoughts on ways to make money that first couple of weeks?

[mrharness]

When we had a 1 mile track, I had good luck going with the highest earnings per start. Never worked as a stand-alone method at smaller tracks but it worked there. And used it even during the meet. Don't know if it will work today or if it will work at the big M.

[omalley]

I have always heard that a trainer who had only one or two small purses at the prior meet some how miraculously finishes in the money on a big long shot the first two week of a meet. He has to pay his bills.

[harnesslover]

Hi

With the Meadowlands opening in a couple of weeks, anyone have any good handicapping angles for the first few weeks as the horses ship in and get re-acclimated to the track. I always find there are price plays to be had as the favorites tend to get over bet. Hopefully, the Big M will not suffer again from a shortage of horses, although with the casinos feeding the tracks in NY and PA, not sure where all the horses will come from.

Any thoughts on ways to make money that first couple of weeks?

You cannot go wrong focusing on horses with strong last halves. Horses that cannot put in a strong last half there have virtually no shot.

I usually sit back and watch replays the first 2 weeks. However, if there is one angle I can suggest, its ALWAYS take a hard look at any trotter shipping in from The Meadows.

[Boxhoward]

Harness Lover

So I guess you sit out most of the early going...given the length of the meet, seems like a sound strategy. I also like closers in the winter, although I find that as the meet goes on, early speed becomes more important.

[harnesslover]

Harness Lover

So I guess you sit out most of the early going...given the length of the meet, seems like a sound strategy. I also like closers in the winter, although I find that as the meet goes on, early speed becomes more important.

I do, but that's what works for me. I have a friend who is very sharp and can give you trainer stats for shippers that would make your head spin. That is WAY too much for me to research and retain. (More power to him :-)

I usually play the 2nd week and will go all in the 3rd week. Of course some spot plays on Meadows trotters are always in place.

Replays are critical in finding some big value horses at M1..

And as far as early speed, to me, it depends on who is driving. I will consider a speedster if Brennan is on board. He can keep a horse better than anyone can (except for Luc, but he's in Canada)

[theiman]

When the Big M opened over 30 years ago there were hardly any horses who could win on the lead, and in the winter it was over 99% sure that winner wouldnt be close to the lead. Well over the years improvement to all aspects of the equipment and the medications used have changed the game.

I would stick to the able trainers like Burke and Croughan.

It is hard to figure out at the beginning of the meet as you have to know alot about the racing at out of town tracks. How do top claimers at Canada, Yonkers, Chester and Pocono fair running in similar classes at the Big M.

I tend to watch the first week or two, as Harnesslover stated. You can start making trip notes for playbacks for December and onward.

Also look at what series the Big M will offer for the late fall and January. Make note of the earnings/wins needed to get into those races and the cutoff dates, ex NW 5 races or $100K LT as of November 15, 2007. Watch for horses who are near those levels who dont try to make sure they dont go over before the cutoff date. I have found bet againsts that way and then bet backs when they run after the cutoff date, thus knowing earnings or wins arent held against them for those series.

Nothing is easy in racing, however, one can make it easier by doing a bit of homework.

[harnesslover]

Iman, good points..


One more point I stick to - I DO NOT bet eliminations. Thats a quick way to the poor house.